Authors of the Middle Ages, Volume III, Nos 7-11: English Writers of the Late Middle Ages / Edition 1

by N.F. Blake, M.C. Seymour, Douglas Gray

Overview

Authors of the Middle Ages is a series designed for research and reference. The aim is to combine, in one compact work, a biography of a medieval author with all the information needed for further research. The series is divided into two sub-series. The first, edited by M.C. Seymour, focuses on EnglishWriters of the Late Middle Ages and the second, edited by Patrick Geary, deals with Historical and Religious Writers of the Latin West. William Caxton was the first English printer and publisher of printed books. He translated many books into English and by the prologues and epilogues added to many of his printed works he helped to establish literary tastes and fashions at the end of the medieval period. The life of Reginald Peacock, bishop, heretic and author, reflects the many controversies of 15th-century England. Drawing on many contemporary sources and based on fresh research. Wendy Scase offers a new interpretation of an enigmatic writer. Douglas Gray traces the lives of the two poets Robert Henryson and William Dunbar. Among the several distinguished poets of late-medieval Scotland. Henryson stands out for his humanity, learned wit and imaginitive power; while Dunbar was one of the most spectacular, flamboyant and versatile Scottish poets of the Middle Ages. This study gives an account of the little that is known of their lives and extensively details both their works and later scholarship. John Capgrave (1393-1464) was an Augustinian friar, Cambridge theologian, hagiographer and chronicler who became Prior Provincial of his order. His life, presented here in the light of fresh research and with full documentation, illuminates the importance of the order in the troubled times of mid 15th-century England.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780860785569
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	03/28/1996
Series:	Authors of the Middle Ages
Pages:	264
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.62(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

Contents: 7. William Caxton, N.F. Blake: Contents: Sources and difficulties of interpretation; Early years; Mercer and merchant adventurer; Cologne and the final days in Bruges; Westminster; Caxton's death and will; Appendices; Bibliography. 8. Reginald Pecock, Wendy Scase: Contents: Origins and education; Pecock's career: promotions and commotions; The repressor repressed; conclusion: Pecock deplumed; Appendices; Bibliography. 9. Robert Henryson, Douglas Gray: Contents: A note on the canon; Bibliography. 10. William Dunbar, Douglas Gray: Contents: A note on the canon; Bibliography. 11. John Capgrave, M.C. Seymour: Contents: The Augustinian friars in England; The early years 1393-1417; The academic cursus 1417-1427; The theologian; Prior of Lynn 1441-1453; Prior provincial 1453-1457; The final years 1457-1464; Table of dates; Appendices; Bibliography.

Editorial Reviews

’The short biographies in this series are excellent introductions to the literary figures of medieval England; most important they have appendices of documents and bibliographies. Seek them out, they are worth collecting and reading!’ The Ricardian ’...these lives and bibliographies serve to make these English writers of the late Middle Ages as accessible as they are ever likely to be. Careful editing, enthusiasm, and an open format cannot but illuminate some of the hitherto darker corners of the literary scene before the brilliant Renaissance dawn.’ Parergon, Vol. 15, No. 2 ’One of the most useful features of these studies is the full listing of manuscripts and early prints of works written by the individual authors..These lists are up-to-date, reliable, and extremely handy for quick reference....[these studies] collect, synthesize, and print otherwise disparate materials and provide fair and expert guidance to the evaluation of the original sources and later scholarship.’ Studies in the Age of Chaucer ’the Authors of the Middle Ages series seems an excellent idea being well carried out. To judge from this one, the presence of these volumes on a library’s shelf will make available a great deal of information in a containable space. Especially in an age when too much often seems the problem, it is gratifying to find a volume that provides what is helpful and lets readers get on with their work.’ Speculum

From the Publisher